Parliament has passed significant changes to New Zealand’s restricted trading day alcohol rules — removing the “substantial meal” requirement for on-licences, extending cellar door rights for wine producers, and enabling RSAs to welcome the general public on Anzac Day morning. Key Points at a Glance Background: New Zealand’s Restricted Trading Days The Sale and Supply […]
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Author | Isobel Howe & Haydon Cunninghame As of today, the updated Active Investor Plus Visa settings are officially in force, signalling a renewed focus on attracting high-value, growth-oriented investment into Aotearoa New Zealand. While this is a nationwide change, the implications for Queenstown and Southland are particularly interesting. Our region has long been built […]
More than 20% of properties currently listed in the Queenstown Lakes District are valued at NZ$5 million or more (realestate.co.nz, December 2025). This reflects the high concentration of premium homes in Otago and underscores Queenstown’s status as New Zealand’s leading luxury lifestyle market. On 13 December 2025, the New Zealand Government passed the Overseas Investment […]
Read More… from Active Investor Plus Visa Update: Queenstown Luxury Homes Within Reach
AWS Legal is proud to celebrate the recent admission of Grace Milne as a Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand. Grace was formally admitted at a ceremony held in Dunedin on 21 October 2025, surrounded by her closest supporters – including her mother Janet Copeland (who had the honour of acting as her […]
Read More… from Congratulations Grace Milne – Admitted to the Bar!
On 1 September 2025, the government announced that overseas persons with an Active Investor Plus Residency Visa (the “Golden Visa”) will soon be able to purchase one home in New Zealand worth over $5 million. Following that announcement, we have received a high level of enquiry regarding the proposed changes. While there is still a […]
Read More… from Overseas Investors – New Zealand’s “Golden Visa” Property Pathway – FAQs
What’s changing — and why it matters The Biometric Processing Privacy Code 2025 has been finalised and will take effect on 3 November 2025. It replaces the general Information Privacy Principles in the Privacy Act 2020 wherever automated biometric processing is used. Organisations already using biometric systems before that date have until 3 August 2026 to […]
Read More… from Navigating the New Biometric Processing Privacy Code: What Businesses Need to Know
On Tuesday, 29 July 2025, we proudly celebrated the admission of our newest solicitor, Byron Brown, to the bar at the Invercargill High Court. The ceremony was presided over by Justice Dunningham and marked a significant milestone in Byron’s legal journey. Byron was joined by his proud parents, Byron and Rachel, his brother Quin, and […]
Read More… from Celebrating Byron Brown’s admission to the bar
Yesterday at the Invercargill High Court, Wilfred Griffiths was admitted as a Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand. Attending in support of this special occasion was Wilf’s very proud parents Tracy and Troy who travelled from Te Anau, and his Grandparents who made the trip from Wellington. Wilf joined AWS Legal as a […]
Read More… from Congratulations to our newest Solicitor: Wilfred Griffiths
Author | Jono Cole, Partner Major Changes Effective 1 April 2025 The New Zealand Government has announced significant changes to the Active Investor Plus (AIP) Visa to attract more high-value investment while offering greater flexibility to investors. The updates come in response to concerns that current high investment thresholds and riskier requirements discouraged applicants, with […]
A new adventure racing charitable trust led by high-profile sportsperson Richie McCaw announces the return of One NZ GODZONE, the world’s largest expedition race. New Zealand’s preeminent expedition adventure race, One NZ GODZONE, is back on the sporting calendar after a two-year hiatus with the formation of the Pure Adventure Charitable Trust to host the […]